Posthumous name

In some cultures, members of the ruling family is awarded a posthumous title after her death. Most monarchs of China, Korea and Vietnam as well as all Japanese emperors are commonly referred to by their posthumous titles. Posthumous titles were also awarded in China and Vietnam to honor the life's work commoner people, such as the successful statesmen or spiritual leader.

Emperor of China

The custom to confer posthumous titles, has its origin in the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and is then 800 years older than the use of temple names. The first person who received a posthumous title, was Ji Chang (姬昌), which his son Ji Fa (姬发) of Zhou the title of " polite and well-mannered King " (Chinese文王) awarded. Under the Qin Dynasty, the use of the posthumous title again disappeared because Emperor Shihuang it as disrespectful of " later emperors " (嗣皇帝) proclaimed about their ancestors ( " former Emperor " ;先帝) to judge. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the use of posthumous titles under the Han dynasty was resumed.

The posthumous titles of all Chinese rulers begin with the character of the name of each dynasty and end on the two characters皇帝( Huang Di ), which can be shortened to帝( Dì ). A few rulers were also given the posthumous title without the addition皇( huang ).

As emperor of Han Xiaohui the title almost all the emperors of China had the mark孝( xiao ) after the dynasty sign. It refers to the loyal devotion of a child to a father, and to continue the will and effort of the father's work as possible. After the Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasties, Song, Ming and Qing wont this custom. The Emperor of the Qing Dynasty put the sign to other places in the posthumous title.

Over time, the number of characters grew up in the posthumous titles. When the emperors of the Tang Dynasty, the title had seven to 18 characters, with the Qing emperors 21 That is, for example, the full posthumous title of Emperor Shunzhi " The Emperor of the order, follows the customs heavenly with solemn skill, the intended is, [ the kingdom ] to unite, built with highly gifted insights, admired the arts, fixed power, [ is ] with great virtue and mighty deeds [ blessed ], strives for humanity, [ is ] pure childlike, vatertreuem mind " (体天隆运定统建极英睿钦文显武大德弘功至仁纯孝章皇帝, audio file for pronunciation / i:? tǐ Tian Long Yun Ding tǒng jiàn jí Ying ruì Qin wén xiǎn wǔ dà dé hóng gōng zhì řén Chun Xiao zhāng huáng dì ).

Among the women, Empress Dowager Cixi was given the longest posthumous title, "The Empress, who is of admirable filial piety and paternal love, emanating from the kindness with blessed health, fastened satisfaction and dignified sincerity without equal, is durable, deserves growing and blooming admiration, undisguised admiration, might grow under a blissful heaven, as a sacred phenomenon " (Chinese孝钦慈禧端佑康颐昭豫庄诚寿恭钦献崇熙配天兴圣显皇后, Pinyin Xiao Qin cí xǐ Duan yòu Kang Yi Zhao yù Zhuang chéng shou gōng Xiàn Qin Chong Pei Tian Xing Sheng xī xiǎn huáng HOU).

Posthumous titles could be praise (褒字) or devaluation (贬字). Because there is more praise variants as derogatory, the posthumous title in Chinese and " respectful name " (Chinese尊号, Pinyin Zun Hào ). The rules for the choice of title are described in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian. Some guidelines:

Praise Ruler with a stable and reasonable government (刚强理直) received the title of " martial" (武wǔ ). (This is one of the highest awards. )
Rulers who were inclined to the people and their needs very respected (愍民惠礼), are " the citizen" (文wén ) called. (This is one of the highest awards. )
Ruler, promote gifted and righteousness appreciate (尊贤贵义), be " reverently " (恭Gong ) called.
Rulers of friendly and benevolent beings (温柔圣善) are " benign" (懿yì ) called.
Rulers who stand by the people of righteousness (由义而济) are " admirable " (景jǐng ) called.
Rulers who treat the people out of compassion friendly (柔质慈民), are " compassionate " (惠Hui ) called.
Rulers, clear the threats out of the way and cruelty suppress (除残去虐), are called " Tang " (汤). (You may come this title by the famous King Chengtang (成汤) ago, the founder of the Shang dynasty.)
Ruler, under whose government the people are very satisfied (安民立政), are " building " (成chéng ) called. ( Probably also depends on these titles with King Chengtang together. )
Full wisely and farsighted ruler (果虑果远) are "brilliant" (赶gǎn ) called.
Rulers, the people of their virtue and righteousness proclaim (布德执义) are called " majestic " (穆mù ).
Rulers who enlarge their empire in an offensive manner (辟土服远), are " fond of discovery " (桓Huan ) called.
For the founders of dynasties of special titles Gao (高) is reserved.

Devaluation Short-lived rulers without great achievements (短折不成) received the title of " unripe age passed away " (殇Shang).
Ruler with chronic depression (often in political emergencies ) (在国连忧) are " pitiful " (愍mǐn ) called.
Rulers, who are more vulnerable due to health soon pass away (蚤孤短折) " deplorable " (哀AI) called.
Rulers, who dedicate themselves to the victims for their ancestors especially (肆行劳祀), are called " mournful " (悼dào ).

All in all, these titles were subjective, repeatedly awarded and highly stereotyped, especially since they are awarded somewhat arbitrary. Most of them were awarded by court historians after the pattern of good or bad deeds. In China, the process of awarding posthumous titles as " retroactive posthumous name" (Chinese追谥) is called.

Japanese Emperor

The posthumous title of Tenno ( Emperor of Japan ) are called teigō (Japanese帝号, dt " imperial title "). In addition to the Title- suffix tennō (天皇, dt " heavenly sovereign " ), the part of each posthumous title of Tenno is, they consist of two kanji, some dating back three. Some Tennō receive their title until generations later - for example, the Jimmu Tenno and Antoku. Others get it immediately after her death, such as Mommu - tennō.

Some Tennō wear Chinese title:

Jimmu (神武天皇, Jimmu - tennō, dt " divine power " )
Nintoku (仁徳天皇, Nintoku - tennō, dt " philanthropic virtue" )
Ojin (応神天皇, ojin - tennō, dt " responds to the gods " )

Some Tennō carry Japanese Title:

By place of birth or residence: Saga (嵯峨天皇, Saga tennō ), according to a palace (院, in ) named
Ichijō (一条天皇, Ichijō - tennō ), according to an official residence named (邸, file)
Named Komyo (光明天皇, Komyo - tennō ) to a temple
Named Higashiyama (东山天皇, Higashiyama - tennō ) upon a hill

Go Ichijō (后一条天皇, go- Ichijō - tennō )
Go- Daigo (后醍醐天皇, Go- Daigo- tennō )
Go Sakuramachi (后桜町天皇, go- Sakuramachi - tennō )

Gemmei (元明天皇, Gemmei - tennō ) Gensho (元正天皇, Gensho - tennō ) = meisho (明正天皇, meisho - tennō )
Shōtoku (称徳天皇, Shōtoku - tennō ) Konin (光仁天皇, Konin - tennō ) = Shoko (称光天皇, Shoko - tennō )

Korean kings and emperors

Although the kings and emperors wore Korea elaborate posthumous title, today they are mainly known by their temple names.

Posthumous name

Emperor of China

Japanese Emperor

Korean kings and emperors

Other posthumous title